Fire hydrant cap and actuating tool therefor

ABSTRACT

A fire hydrant cap which cannot readily be unthreaded from a fire hydrant by conventional tools. A body having first and second ends with the first end having internal threads for attachment to a fire hydrant while the second end extends from the first end and includes a curved convex shape which cannot be readily gripped by a conventional tool. A plurality of tool engaging surfaces spaced from each other are positioned on the second end with each surface including a shoulder facing in a counterclockwise direction to provide engagement with a special tool for tightening the cap onto the hydrant. Each engaging surface includes a recess extending from each shoulder in a counterclockwise direction with a curved surface extending from a shoulder and progressively increasing in distance from the axis of the body for coacting with a special tool for unthreading the cap from a hydrant. Preferably, three engaging surfaces are provided spaced equal distance around the periphery of the second end. A special actuating tool having a generally circular body and including an internal opening and a handle connected to the tool is provided for rotating the tool. The tool includes a plurality of actuating surfaces positioned about the internal opening for coacting with the engaging surfaces on the second end of the cap for tightening and untightening the cap.

United States Patent 11 1 Graham 1451 Dec. 30, 1975 54] FIRE HYDRANT CAPAND ACTUATING TOOL THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Gerald A. Graham, 9721Kempwood Drive, Apt. 1405, Houston, Tex. 77055 22 Filed: July 10, 197421 Appl. No.: 486,975

Primary Examinerl-lenry T. Klinksiek Assistant Examiner-Richard GerardAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Fulbright & Jaworski [57] ABSTRACT A firehydrant cap which cannot readily be unthreaded from a fire hydrant byconventional tools. A

body having first and second ends with the first end having internalthreads for attachment to a fire hydrant while the second end extendsfrom the first end and includes a curved convex shape which cannot bereadily gripped by a conventional tool. A plurality of tool engagingsurfaces spaced from each other are positioned on the second end witheach surface including a shoulder facing in a counterclockwise directionto provide engagement with a special tool for tightening the cap ontothe hydrant. Each engaging surface includes a recess extending from eachshoulder in a counterclockwise direction with a curved surface extendingfrom a shoulder and progressively increasing in distance from the axisof the body for coacting with a special tool for unthreading the capfrom a hydrant. Preferably, three engaging surfaces are provided spacedequal distance around the periphery of the second end. A specialactuating tool having a generally circular body and including aninternal opening and a handle connected to the tool is provided forrotating the tool. The tool includes a plurality of actuating surfacespositioned about the internal opening for coacting with the engagingsurfaces on the second end of the cap for tightening and untighteningthe cap.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 3,929,152

FIRE I-IYDRANT CAP AND ACTUATING TOOL THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Conventional fire hydrant caps can be easily opened withconventional pipe wrenches or crescent wrenches. Because of this, manyinstances have occured in which the pipe caps have been removed andstolen. Or a great number of fire hydrants have been turned on at onetime thereby lowering the water pressure and decreasing the ability of afire department to adequately protect an area against fire.

The present invention is directed to a fire cap which is not readilyopenable by conventional tools such as a pipe wrench, a crescent wrench,or hammer and chisel, but can only be opened by a special tool in orderto discourage the theft and/or unauthorized opening of fire hydrants.

SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a fire hydrant cap havingfirst and second ends with the first end having internal threadsextending inwardly into the body for attachment to the outlet to a tirehydrant. The second end of the body extends from the first end andincludes a convex curved surface, preferably in the form of a sector ofa sphere, which is not readily engageable by conventional tools. Aplurality of special tool engaging surfaces spaced from each other arepositioned on the second end which require a special tool forunthreading the cap from the hydrant.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of aplurality of tool engaging surfaces positioned on the second end whereineach engaging surface includes a shoulder facing oppositely to thedirection in which the cap is threaded onto a hydrant for providing ashoulder for engaging a tool for connecting the cap to a hydrant. Inaddition, each engaging surface includes a recess extending from theshoulder in a direction opposite to the direction in which the cap isthreaded onto the hydrant which includes a curved surface whichprogressively increases in distance from the axis of the body forcoacting with a special tool for unthreading the cap from a hydrant.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision ofthree engaging surfaces spaced equal distance around the second end ofthe cap.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of anactuating tool for tightening and untightening the cap from a firehydrant in which the tool is arcuately shaped and has a plurality ofactuating surfaces positioned interiorly of the tool for coacting withthe engaging surfaces on the second end of the cap for tightening anduntightening the cap from a hydrant. Each of the actuating surfacesincludes a shoulder positioned to coact with the shoulder on the capengaging surfaces and includes a curved portion positioned to coact witha curved surface on a cap engaging surface. The tool may include ahandle for rotating the tool and may include a pentagonal recess foractuating the fire hydrant valve.

Other and further features and advantages will be readily apparent fromthe following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, showingthe fire hydrant cap of the present invention in place on a fire hydrantand an actuating tool of the present invention in position to engage thecap,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of one end of the fire hydrantcap of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fire hydrant cap of the presentinvention, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the actuating tool of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,and particularly to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally indicatesa conventional fire hydrant on which the fire hydrant cap of the presentinvention, generally indicated by the reference numeral 12, has beenattached by an actuating tool of the present invention, generallyindicated by Y the reference numeral 14.

In the past, the conventional fire hydrant caps have been easilyremovable with conventional tools such as wrenches and the fire hydrants10 were turned on wasting water and in many instances in some localitiesa great number of fire hydrants have been turned on simultaneouslythereby lowering the water pressure in the fire fighting system severelylimiting fire fighting capabilities.

Furthermore, many fire hydrant caps have been removed and had to bereplaced at great expense.

The present invention is directed to providing a fire hydrant cap 12having a body 20 having a first end 22 and a second end 24. As best seenin FIG. 3, the first end 22 is provided with internal threads 26extending into the body whereby the threads 26 may be mated withcoacting threads on the outlet 18 of the fire hydrant 10 for connectingthe cap 12 to the hydrant 10. Preferably, the first end 22 of the cap 12is flat for mating against the fire hydrant outlet 18. The second end 24extends from the first end 22 from a generally circular intersection 23with the first end 22 and includes a curved convex shape which is notreadily engageable with conventional tools such as wrenches havingparallel jaws and includes no sharp corners or edges which can beengaged by chisels for unthreading the cap 12. Preferably, the shape ofthe curved surface of the end 24 is in the form of a sector of a spherealthough any curved convex surface may be utilized which cannot beeasily gripped by conventional toos and rotated off the fire hydrantoutlet 18.

In order to rotate the cap 12 onto and off of the fire hydrant 10, aplurality of tool engaging surfaces, generally indicated by thereference numeral 30, are. positioned on the second end 24 of the cap12. Each engaging surface 30 includes a shoulder 32 facing oppositely tothe direction in which the cap is threaded onto hydrant outlet 18 forproviding shoulders for engaging a tool for connecting the cap to thehydrant. As shown, the internal threads 26 on the first end 22 of thecap 12 are usually threaded for right-hand rotation and thus theshoulders 32 in FIG. 2 are directed in a counterclockwise directionaround the longituidnal axis 34 of the cap 12 to provide a surface forengaging an actuating tool for threading and tightening the cap 12 onto3 the hydrant 10. While, of course, the shoulders 32 may be engaged by atool such as chisels and hammers, any force applied to the shoulders 32will always be in a direction for tightening the cap 12 onto the hydrant10, and cannot be engaged for unthreading the cap 12 by any conventionaltype wrench.

Each of the engaging surfaces 30 also includes a recess 34 extendingfrom each shoulder 32 in a direction opposite to the direction in whichthe cap is threaded onto the hydrant outlet 18 and each recess 34includes a curved surface 36 extending from the shoulder 32 andprogressively increasing in radial distance from the longitudinal axis34 of the body for providing a surface for coacting with a special toolfor unthreading the cap 12 from the hydrant 10. It is noted that thecurved surfaces 36 do not provide a gripping surface for engagement byany conventional tools for unthreading the cap 12.

As best seen in FIG. 2, it is preferred to provide three engagingsurfaces 30 spaced equal distance, or approximately 120 apart, aroundthe second end 24 of the cap 12 although the cap 12 may besatisfactorily operated with only two engaging surfaces 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, the actuating tool 14 for threading andunthreading the cap 12 from the hydrant is best seen. The tool 14includes a generally arcuate portion 40, and is preferably circular.Portion 40 includes an internal opening 41 for fitting around the end 24of cap 12 and includes a plurality of actuating surfaces generallyindicated by the reference numeral 42, which are equal in number to thenumber of tool engaging surfaces 30 on the cap 12 for coactingtherewith. Each actuating surface 42 includes a shoulder 44 positionedto coact with one of the shoulders 32 on the cap 12. Each of theactuating surfaces also includes a curved portion 46 which extends froma shoulder 44 in a clockwise direction and progressively de creases indistance from the center of the circular portion 40 and is shaped tocoact with the curved surfaces 36 on the cap 12.

The tool 14 may also include a handle 48 connected to the circularportion 40 for rotating the circular portion 40. In addition, the handlemay include a hexagonal recess 50 for actuating a valve stem 16 of atire hydrant.

In use, the cap 12 may be threaded onto the outlet 18 of a fire hydrant10 by means of the threads 26. The actuating tool 14 may be insertedover the end 24 bringing the shoulders 44 on the tool 14 into engagementwith the shoulders 32 of the cap 12 and rotation of the handle 48 of thetool 14 will tighten the cap 24 onto the hydrant 10. In the event thatit is desired to remove the cap 12 from the hydrant 10, the actuatingtool 14 is again fitted over the end 24 of the cap 12 placing the curvedportions 46 on the tool 14 into engagement with the curved surfaces 36on the cap and the tool 14 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction tounthread the cap 12 from the outlet 18.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as othersinherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of theinvention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes inthe details of construction and arrangement of parts will readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassedwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

4 l. A fire hydrant cap comprising a body having first and second ends,said first end having internal threads extending in wardly into the bodyfor attachment to a fire hydrant, said second end extending from thefirst end and having a curved convex shape,

a plurality of tool engaging surfaces spaced from each other andpositioned on the second end, each engaging surface including a shoulderfacing oppositely to the direction in which the cap is threaded onto ahydrant for providing shoulders for engaging a tool for connecting thecap to a hydrant,

each engaging surface including a recess extending from said shoulder ina direction opposite to the direction in which the cap is threaded ontothe hydrant, said recess including a curved surface progressivelyincreasing in distance from the axis of the body and includes a sidewallwhich extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cap for coactingwith a tool for unthreading the cap from a hydrant.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are three engaging surfacesspaced equidistance around said second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the curved convex shape of thesecond end is generally a sector of a sphere.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including,

an arcuately shaped tool having a plurality of actuating surfacespositioned interiorly of the tool for coacting with the engagingsurfaces on the second end of the cap for tightening and untighteningsaid cap from the hydrant, each actuating surface including a shoulderpositioned and shaped to coact with a shoulder on the cap engagingsurfaces and including a curved portion positioned and shaped to coactwith a curved surface on the cap engaging surfaces on the second end ofthe cap.

5. A fire hydrant cap comprising, I

a body having first and second ends,

said first end having internal threads extending inwardly into the bodyfor attachment to a fire hydrant,

said second end extending from a generally circular intersection withthe first end and having a curved convex shape generally in the form ofa sector of a sphere,

a plurality of tool engaging surfaces spaced from each other andpositioned on the second end, each engaging surface including a shoulderfacing in a counterclockwise direction in the second end for providingshoulders for engaging a tool for tightening the cap on the hydrant,

each engaging surface including a recess extending from each shoulder ina counterclockwise direction in the second end, said recess including acurved surface extending from a shoulder and progressively increasing indistance from the axis of the body and includes a sidewall which extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis of said cap for coacting with a toolfor unthreading the cap from a hydrant.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein there are three engaging surfacesspaced equidistance around said second end.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 including,

a generally circular tool having an internal opening and a handleconnected to the tool for rotating the 6 on the cap engaging surfacesand including a curved portion positioned and shaped to coact with acurved surface on the cap engaging surface on the second end of the cap.8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the tool includes a pentagonalrecess for actuating a fire hydrant.

1. A fire hydrant cap comprising, a body having first and second ends,said first end having internal threads extending inwardly into the bodyfor attachment to a fire hydrant, said second end extending from thefirst end and having a curved convex shape, a plurality of tool engagingsurfaces spaced from each other and positioned on the second end, eachengaging surface including a shoulder facing oppositely to the directionin which the cap is threaded onto a hydrant for providing shoulders forengaging a tool for connecting the cap to a hydrant, each engagingsurface including a recess extending from said shoulder in a directionopposite to the direction in which the cap is threaded onto the hydrant,said recess including a curved surface progressively increasing indistance from the axis of the body and includes a sidewall which extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis of said cap for coacting with a toolfor unthreading the cap from a hydrant.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein there are three engaging surfaces spaced equidistance aroundsaid second end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the curved convexshape of the second end is generally a sector of a sphere.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 including, an arcuately shaped tool having aplurality of actuating surfaces positioned interiorly of the tool forcoacting with the engaging surfaces on the second end of the cap fortightening and untightening said cap from the hydrant, each actuatingsurface including a shoulder positioned and shaped to coact with ashoulder on the cap engaging surfaces and including a curved portionpositioned and shaped to coact with a curved surface on the cap engagingsurfaces on the second end of the cap.
 5. A fire hydrant cap comprising,a body having first and second ends, said first end having internalthreads extending inwardly into the body for attachment to a firehydrant, said second end extending from a generally circularintersection with the first end and having a curved convex shapegenerally in the form of a sector of a sphere, a plurality of toolengaging surfaces spaced from each other and positioned on the secondend, each engaging surface including a shoulder facing in acounterclockwise direction in the second end for providing shoulders forengaging a tool for tightening the cap on the hydrant, each engagingsurface including a recess extending from each shoulder in acounterclockwise direction in the second end, said recess including acurved surface extending from a shoulder and progressively increasing indistance from the axis of the body and includes a sidewall which extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis of said cap for coacting with a toolfor unthreading the cap from a hydrant.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein there are three engaging surfaces spaced equidistance aroundsaid second end.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 including, a generallycircular tool having an internal opening and a handle connected to thetool for rotating the tool, said tool including a plurality of actuatingsurfaces positioned about the internal opening for coacting with theengaging surfaces on the second end of the cap for tightening anduntightening said cap from a hydrant, each actuating surface including ashoulder positioned and shaped to coact with a shoulder on the capengaging surfaces and including a curved portion positioned and shapedto coact with a curved surface on the cap engaging surface on the secondend of the cap.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the tool includes apentagonal recess for actuating a fire hydrant.